System, Apparatus and Method for Inventory

ABSTRACT

An inventory system, apparatus and method. The method to be used in a cooler that includes a power module provides power to the inventory system from an electric source, battery, WIFI charge, wireless charge and/or combination thereof, a computer processor coupled to the power module, a memory module coupled to the computer processor, an image capturing module coupled to the processor, a movement module coupled to the processor; wherein the movement module triggers the image capturing device to capture images of products in a cooler due to a movement.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This disclosure relates to a system, method and apparatus for inventorydetermination. More particularly, this disclosure relates to identifyingand reporting inventory information.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is common for merchandisers, retailers, store owners and the like toneed details in relation to goods, inventory and consumer habits. Forexample, it has become useful to learn trends relating to productdisplay, inventory replenishing, employee activity, consumer activity,etc. In many cases, the trends are needed in real time. However, it iscostly to hire individuals to collect such information. Some deviceswere developed to help collect such information. Unfortunately, suchdevices tend to obstruct passage, look unattractive, produce inaccuratedata, and present many other issues.

Therefore, there is a need for an improved system, apparatus and methodfor retrieving such details.

SUMMARY

Embodiments described herein relate to an inventory method, apparatusand system. The method includes a power module provides power to theinventory system from an electric source, battery, WIFI charge, wirelesscharge and/or combination thereof, a computer processor coupled to thepower module, a memory module coupled to the computer processor, animage capturing module coupled to the processor, a movement modulecoupled to the processor; wherein the movement module triggers the imagecapturing device to capture images of products in a cooler due to amovement.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Reference will now be made to the following drawings:

FIG. 1 is an embodiment of schematic diagram of an inventory apparatus;

FIG. 2 is a flow diagram of an embodiment of an install method for theinventory apparatus;

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of an embodiment of an first stocking methodfor the inventory apparatus;

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of an embodiment of an inventory method for theinventory apparatus;

FIG. 5 is an embodiment of an inventory system; and

FIG. 6A-6H are embodiments of an tray inventory system; and

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the descriptions that follow, like parts are marked throughout thespecification and drawings with the same numerals, respectively. Thedrawing figures are not necessarily drawn to scale and certain figuresmay be shown in exaggerated or generalized form in the interest ofclarity and conciseness.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that aspects of thepresent disclosure may be illustrated and described herein in any of anumber of patentable classes or context including any new and usefulprocess, machine, manufacture, or composition of matter, or any new anduseful improvement thereof. Therefore, aspects of the present disclosuremay be implemented entirely in hardware or combining software andhardware implementation that may all generally be referred to herein asa “circuit,” “module,” “component,” or “system” (including firmware,resident software, micro-code, etc.). Further, aspects of the presentdisclosure may take the form of a computer program product embodied inone or more computer readable media having computer readable programcode embodied thereon.

Any combination of one or more computer readable media may be utilized.The computer readable media may be a computer readable signal medium ora computer readable storage medium. For example, a computer readablestorage medium may be, but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic,optical, electromagnetic, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device,or any suitable combination of the foregoing. More specific examples ofthe computer readable storage medium would include, but are not limitedto: a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory(“RAM”), a read-only memory (“ROM”), an erasable programmable read-onlymemory (“EPROM” or Flash memory), an appropriate optical fiber with arepeater, a portable compact disc read-only memory (“CD-ROM”), anoptical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitablecombination of the foregoing. Thus, a computer readable storage mediummay be any tangible medium that can contain, or store a program for useby or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, ordevice.

A computer readable signal medium may include a propagated data signalwith computer readable program code embodied therein, for example, inbaseband or as part of a carrier wave. The propagated data signal maytake any of a variety of forms, including, but not limited to,electro-magnetic, optical, or any suitable combination thereof. Acomputer readable signal medium may be any computer readable medium thatis not a computer readable storage medium and that can communicate,propagate, or transport a program for use by or in connection with aninstruction execution system, apparatus, or device. Program codeembodied on a computer readable signal medium may be transmitted usingany appropriate medium, including but not limited to wireless, wireline, optical fiber cable, RF, or any suitable combination thereof.

Computer program code for carrying out operations for aspects of thepresent disclosure may be written in any combination of one or moreprogramming languages, including an object oriented programming languagesuch as Java, Scala, Smalltalk, Eiffel, JADE, Emerald, C++, C#, VB.NET,Python or the like, conventional procedural programming languages, suchas the “C” programming language, Visual Basic, Fortran 2003, Perl, COBOL2002, PHP, ABAP, dynamic programming languages such as Python, Ruby andGroovy, or other programming languages.

Aspects of the present disclosure are described herein with reference toflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, systems andcomputer program products according to embodiments of the disclosure. Itwill be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and/orblock diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchartillustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computerprogram instructions. These computer program instructions may beprovided to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purposecomputer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce amachine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor ofthe computer or other programmable instruction execution apparatus,create a mechanism for implementing the functions/acts specified in theflowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computerreadable medium that when executed can direct a computer, otherprogrammable data processing apparatus, or other devices to function ina particular manner, such that the instructions when stored in thecomputer readable medium produce an article of manufacture includinginstructions which when executed, cause a computer to implement thefunction/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block orblocks. The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto acomputer, other programmable instruction execution apparatus, or otherdevices to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on thecomputer, other programmable apparatuses or other devices to produce acomputer implemented process such that the instructions which execute onthe computer or other programmable apparatus provide processes forimplementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks.

FIG. 1 is an embodiment of schematic diagram of an inventory apparatus100. The inventory apparatus 100 includes processor/computer 102, memory104, power module 106, image capturing module 108, movement module 110,light source 112 and I/O (input/output) 114. Image capturing module 108may be a camera, video apparatus, computer, or any other mechanismcapable of capturing an image. The image capturing apparatus 108 may becapable of taking an array of images, perform image filtering, performimage training, process images, use triangulation, learn pixel relation,develop a numeric value representative of an item captured based on theimage(s) taken or processed, and/or other image related processing. Theimage capturing apparatus 108 may include firmware for movementinterpretation and image recognition. An example is the Carmine 1.08 3Dsensor from PrimeSense of Tel-Aviv, Israel. Another example is the XboxKinect from Microsoft of Redmond, Wash. Image capturing module 108 mayprovide image data in the form of streaming video at the rate of 30frames per second in a standard 640×480 VGA. The image capturing device108 may provide distance-to-target or general distance information. Thecapturing module 108 may utilize the light source 112.

Processor 102 may execute software or any computer readable code.Software may include executable routine for coordination and executionof the system functions and may utilize data in memory 104. Theprocessor 102 may communicate with any database, such as, an SQL,Oracle, etc. The software module may include facial recognition routine,store mapping, product data/modules and location mapping. Processor 102maybe coupled to any I/O 114. Such connection may be wired, wireless, atthe same location or remote.

The power module 106 may be any wireless or wired power generationmodule. It may utilize one or more batteries and may report the lifeand/or condition of the battery. The battery maybe in a “click-on”compartment that allows for changing the battery without the need tochange the casing. In other cases, the power module 106 may use electricpower plug, power over WIFI or any power source.

The movement module 108 may utilize an accelerometer or any devisecapable of identifying movement or change in location. In oneembodiment, the movement module 108 utilizes a threshold to determine ifa movement is sufficient to be considered a movement as mentioned inFIG. 2-FIG. 4. If a movement does not meet a threshold, the methods inFIG. 2-FIG. 4 would not consider a movement has occurred.

FIG. 2 is a flow diagram of an embodiment of an install method 200 forthe inventory apparatus. The method 200 starts at step 202 and proceedsto step 204, during which the method 200 determines if there is amovement. If there is no movement, the method 200 returns to step 202.If there is a movement, the method 200 proceeds to step 206. At step206, the method 200 captures data for activation and to self-learn. Forexample, the method captures its store location, isle location,identification data, shelf related information, and/or otherinstallation information. The method 200 may self-calibrate, set/resettime, etc. At step 210, the method 200 updates data based on thecaptured images, i.e. delta between images. The update maybe localand/or the method 200 may report/broadcast all or portion of such data.The method 200 ends at step 212. Installing method 200 may be triggeredby an external software, such as an application on a mobile device or adriver on a computer. The method 200 may also be self-starting orself-install/initialized on powerup. In one embodiment, the data orinformation is also learned from a database that would have the actualdata or cross-referenced to determine the data.

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of an embodiment of a first stocking method 300for the inventory apparatus. The method 300 starts at step 302 andproceeds to step 304. At step 304, the method 300 determined if there isa movement. If there is no movement, the method 300 returns to step 302;otherwise, the method 300 proceeds to step 306. At step 306, the method300 determines if this is a first stock or a restock, where there wereno products and a first product is being added or if products are beingadded to move around. If first stock/restock, the method proceeds tostep 308; otherwise, the method 300 proceeds to FIG. 4. At step 308, themethod 300 captures an image. At step 310, the method 300 determinesproduct information based on the captured image. As such, the method 300may utilize a database to retrieve more information and/orcross-reference the determined data with other archived data, i.e. aplanogram or product shelf lineup information. At step 312, the method200 updates data based on the previous steps. The method 300 ends atstep 314.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of an embodiment of an inventory method 400 forthe inventory apparatus. The method 400 starts at step 402 and proceedsto step 404. At step 404, the method 400 determines if there is amovement or a change in the cooler. If there is no movement or there isno change, the method 400 returns to step 402; otherwise, the method 400proceeds to step 404. In step 404, the method 400 determines if there isno stock or a change in stock on shelf. If there is stock (inventoryexists), then the method 400 proceeds to step 408; otherwise, the method400 proceeds to FIG. 3. At step 408, the method 400 determines if thereis a distance to the closet product or a count change in the number ofproducts on a shelf (determining the delta between images). At step 410,based on the distance or number change, the method 400 updates theinventory/stock amount. The method 400 ends at step 412.

The method 200, 300 and/or 400 may be utilized by the inventoryapparatus to improve its calculations, loop back information to refinethe data being used, get real-time data and/or to update databaseinformation.

FIG. 5 is an embodiment of an inventory system 500. The inventory system500 may be installed on shelf where it moves back and forth based on theamount of inventory placed before it or behind it. In one embodiment,adding or removing inventory may cause the inventor system 500 to shiftlocation. The inventory system 500 includes multiple cameras, recorder,IR devices, or combination thereof. In such an embodiment, these deviceswould be strategically placed to capture various product information,count, distance to the closest/furthest product, etc. In one embodiment,the inventory system 500 includes forward facing cameras that canidentify products or capturing images that facilitate identifyingproducts. In other embodiments, the inventory system 500 includescameras that are downward facing that can count inventory using deltabetween captures images over a period or captured due to a predeterminedevent.

For example, a cooler may include an inventory system 500 that isdesigned to identify products and inventory each product. As such,cameras may be placed in the front of the cooler facing the back of thecooler. When needed, those images may then be verified against aplanogram to ensure that products are in the correct position and/or thebaseline setting of the items in the cooler is accurate. More camerasmay be place on a tray facing down. These cameras capture images thatdetermine the difference between the last image and another imagecaptured, for example, at a “door open” event. The delta between theseimages determines if products have been removed or added to the cooler.The location of the movement and the product identification cameras maybe correlated to identify the exact product added/removed and from whichlocation in the cooler.

As such, in one embodiment, the change in location helps determine theamount of inventory. For example, the inventory apparatus 100 isinstalled and calibrated. At first stock (first product is being added),the inventory apparatus 100 captures image(s) and determines the productbeing added is a water bottle. The image(s) taken make capture anyportion of or the entire product. Based on the images, a numeric valuemay be given to identify a product. The numeric value may match or bewithin a range of values on a database. The database may provide theproduct size. In an embodiment, the size of the product is learn by theinventory system 500 over time via the inventory apparatus 100.Utilizing the size information and the amount of movement (or change indistance), the amount of inventory or stock change is determined by theinventory apparatus 100. Thus, the inventory system 500 is capable tolearn much about a product, cross reference other devices and databasesto further connect information and utilize the knowledge for providingdata and/or real-time inventory information.

The inventory system 500 may communicate images, data or specificinformation with other systems, such as an inventory archive system ordatabase or an inventory alert system. Such communication may occur overwired or wireless network using a communication module.

FIGS. 6A-6H are embodiments of a tray inventory system. The tray mayinclude one or several cameras. One or more of the cameras may point upor down to monitor activity or inventory on the tray. The tray with thecamera(s) may attach to a wire shelf or any other type shelf. One ormore of the cameras may use a fish-eye lens. The inventory system may betriggered by a velocity trigger, an open-door trigger, or a change intemperature or pressure. In one embodiment, the trigger causes one ormultiple image capture, which may be used to create a mesh. The tray mayalso include a display, such as an LCD display. Such an embodiment maybe utilized in coolers, warehouse, retail, etc. The tray for inventorymonitoring is beneficial in stock identification, inventory analysis,sensing velocity, product matching, etc.

Such a system offers many advantages, such as, stock identification,planogram compliance, inventory analysis, stock velocity, amount ofstock, autonomous vending, etc. In some cases, such a system may be usedin a cooler in combination with a lock mechanism and payment module.Thus, a person may trigger the system with a payment option or a personidentification element that connects to a payment option. As a result,the system then unlocks the door and allows the person to purchase itemsfrom the cooler. As the person closes the door, the inventory systemcaptures images of the shelves and determine the difference between thelast images taken of the shelves and the images taken after thepurchase. The difference/delta between the two images determines theproducts purchased. The product purchased are then reported to thepayment module or the person identification system. The purchase is thenfinalized, and the person is charged for the purchased goods. In oneembodiment, an imaged may be captured before door opening and after doorclose to be used to determine the delta or the items purchased. In otherembodiments, the initial image is captured at a predetermined time orevent.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the disclosedembodiments provide a system which embodies significantly more than anabstract idea including technical advancements in the field of dataprocessing and a transformation of data which is directly related toreal world objects and situations. Specifically, the disclosed systemand methods increase the efficiency of a computer network by identifyinga target audience for advertisements without collecting and parsingconsumer information. Further, the disclosed system and methodsincreases the speed of processing purchases by eliminating the wait timein order to complete the purchases.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could bemade to the embodiments described above without departing from the broadinventive concept. It is understood, therefore, that this disclosure isnot limited to the particular embodiments herein, but it is intended tocover modifications within the spirit and scope of the presentdisclosure as defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An inventory system to be used in a cooler,comprising: a power module provides power to the inventory system fromat least one of an electric source, battery, WIFI charge, wirelesscharge or combination thereof; a computer processor coupled to the powermodule; a memory module coupled to the computer processor; an imagecapturing module coupled to the processor; a movement module coupled tothe processor; wherein the movement module triggers the image capturingdevice to capture images of products in a cooler due to a movement. 2.The inventory system further comprising at least one of a light source,a lock mechanism and a payment module, wherein the payment module atleast one of identifies individuals accessing inventory or facilitatepayments from individuals making a payment.
 3. The inventory system ofclaim 2, wherein the payment module facilitates the unlocking of thecooler when payment charges are confirmed.
 4. The inventory system ofclaim 1, wherein the image capturing module comprises at least one ofone or more cameras, one or more IR module and one or more videorecorders.
 5. The inventory system of claim 4, wherein the one or morecameras are placed in at least one of above the inventory and facing theinventory.
 6. The inventory system of claim 4, wherein the one or moreIR module is place in at least one of facing the inventory or behind theinventory.
 7. The inventory system of claim 1 further comprising acommunication module to communicate data over at least one wired andwireless network.
 8. The inventory system of claim 7, wherein data isbi-directionally communicated with an inventory database.
 9. Aninventory apparatus executing an inventory method, the inventory methodcomprising n inventory system to be used in a cooler, comprising: apower module provides power to the inventory system from at least one ofan power source, battery, WIFI charge, wireless charge or combinationthereof; capturing an image of inventory on a shelf in a cooler when atrigger is identified; and determining and communicating the differencebetween the captured image to previous image, wherein the previous imageresembles the status of the inventory prior to the trigger.
 10. Theinventory method of claim 9, wherein the communication is with aninventory database.
 11. The inventory method of claim 9 furthercomprising at least one of: receiving validation of paymentauthorization; identifying a person; unlocking a cooler door; using IRto determine a distance from an object, wherein the change in distancefacilitates inventory counting.
 12. The inventory method of claim 9,wherein the trigger is at least one of an open door, a change in light,a change in pressure and a change in distance.